TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Kansas lawmaker has not been criminally charged a month after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving because the testing to determine whether he was under the influence has not been completed.

Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, was to have a hearing Tuesday in Douglas County District Court, but it did not occur. A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-lawrence-c876d564826fdfeebc29b002a3298492">arrested him</a>&nbsp;Nov. 27 on Interstate 70 near Lawrence.

“At this time, test results are pending from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation,” Assistant District Attorney Ted Baird wrote in a brief report Monday to the district court that was released to reporters.

Coleman’s arrest in Douglas County was his second within a month.

He faces a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in neighboring Johnson County over an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-congress-d8716ccabd233448ea77860d6b97b419">Oct. 30 fight</a>&nbsp;with his 18-year-old brother. Court documents allege he hit and spit on his brother&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-cad353ffd3afe3583df3d267ebb535a5">during a fight</a>&nbsp;over his brother’s plan to get baptized. Coleman pled not guilty and has a Jan. 7 hearing in that case.

Coleman was embroiled in controversy even before his election in 2020. He has acknowledged past abuses against girls and young women, and a legislative committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-congress-d8716ccabd233448ea77860d6b97b419">reprimanded him in writing</a>&nbsp;in February over those abuses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635804497310.png" alt="Coleman from his late Oct. arrest in Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Coleman from his late Oct. arrest in Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Kansas lawmaker has not been criminally charged a month after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving because the testing to determine whether he was under the influence has not been completed.Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, was to have a hearing Tuesday in Douglas County District Court, but it did not occur. A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-lawrence-c876d564826fdfeebc29b002a3298492">arrested him</a>&nbsp;Nov. 27 on Interstate 70 near Lawrence.“At this time, test results are pending from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation,” Assistant District Attorney Ted Baird wrote in a brief report Monday to the district court that was released to reporters.Coleman’s arrest in Douglas County was his second within a month.He faces a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in neighboring Johnson County over an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-congress-d8716ccabd233448ea77860d6b97b419">Oct. 30 fight</a>&nbsp;with his 18-year-old brother. Court documents allege he hit and spit on his brother&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-cad353ffd3afe3583df3d267ebb535a5">during a fight</a>&nbsp;over his brother’s plan to get baptized. Coleman pled not guilty and has a Jan. 7 hearing in that case.Coleman was embroiled in controversy even before his election in 2020. He has acknowledged past abuses against girls and young women, and a legislative committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-congress-d8716ccabd233448ea77860d6b97b419">reprimanded him in writing</a>&nbsp;in February over those abuses.___

Kansas lawmaker not yet charged over arrest in late November

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82. Landra Reid says her husband died peacefully after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. 

The combative former boxer-turned-lawyer was widely-acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress. Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents, a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections. He retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640742523815.png" alt="Sen. Harry Reid photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Harry Reid photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader and Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress, has died. He was 82. Landra Reid says her husband died peacefully after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Harry Reid was one of the most amazing individuals I&#39;ve ever met He never forgot where he came from and used those boxing instincts to fearlessly fight those who were hurting the poor &amp; the middle class He’s gone but will walk by the sides of many of us in the Senate every day <a href="https://t.co/8T9PiD7vY4">pic.twitter.com/8T9PiD7vY4</a>&mdash; Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1475997288497565699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The combative former boxer-turned-lawyer was widely-acknowledged as one of toughest dealmakers in Congress. Over a 34-year career in Washington, Reid thrived on behind-the-scenes wrangling and kept the Senate controlled by his party through two presidents, a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections. He retired in 2016 after an accident left him blind in one eye.

Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader, dies at 82

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for multiple felony charges following a pursuit that began late Christmas night.

Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near SE 4th Street and SE Golden Avenue in Shawnee County on an orange 2018 Subaru Crosstrek with a license plate that did not belong on that vehicle, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 The driver failed to stop for the deputy, initiating a pursuit. The driver fled down multiple streets before striking the median at SE 6th Avenue and SE Branner Street and disabling the vehicle. 

The driver later identified as&nbsp;Richard C. Cabrera, 25, of Topeka, exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Deputies located him in an alley nearby and placed him into custody. The vehicle had been reported stolen through the City of Topeka, according to Christian.

Cabrera was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for two misdemeanor warrants through Shawnee County and requested charges of felony flee and elude, felony possession of stolen property, felony interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, numerous traffic violations and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, registration and insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640626010007.png" alt="Cabrera-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cabrera-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for multiple felony charges following a pursuit that began late Christmas night.Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near SE 4th Street and SE Golden Avenue in Shawnee County on an orange 2018 Subaru Crosstrek with a license plate that did not belong on that vehicle, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver failed to stop for the deputy, initiating a pursuit. The driver fled down multiple streets before striking the median at SE 6th Avenue and SE Branner Street and disabling the vehicle. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Richard C. Cabrera, 25, of Topeka, exited the vehicle and fled on foot.Deputies located him in an alley nearby and placed him into custody. The vehicle had been reported stolen through the City of Topeka, according to Christian.Cabrera was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for two misdemeanor warrants through Shawnee County and requested charges of felony flee and elude, felony possession of stolen property, felony interference with law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, numerous traffic violations and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, registration and insurance.

Sheriff: Kan. man caught driving stolen vehicle Christmas night

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85.

The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.

Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.

But it was his work after prematurely retiring as coach at age 42 that made Madden truly a household name. He educated a football nation with his use of the telestrator on broadcasts; entertained millions with his interjections of “Boom!” and “Doink!” throughout games; was an omnipresent pitchman selling restaurants, hardware stores and beer; became the face of “Madden NFL Football,” one of the most successful sports video games of all-time; and was a best-selling author.

Most of all, he was the preeminent television sports analyst for most of his three decades calling games, winning an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.

“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?” he said when was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I’m a coach, always been a coach.”

He started his broadcasting career at CBS after leaving coaching in great part because of his fear of flying. He and Pat Summerall became the network’s top announcing duo. Madden then helped give Fox credibility as a major network when he moved there in 1994, and went on to call prime-time games at ABC and NBC before retiring following Pittsburgh’s thrilling 27-23 win over Arizona in the 2009 Super Bowl.

“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.

Burly and a little unkempt, Madden earned a place in America’s heart with a likable, unpretentious style that was refreshing in a sports world of spiraling salaries and prima donna stars. He rode from game to game in his own bus because he suffered from claustrophobia and had stopped flying. For a time, Madden gave out a “turducken” — a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey — to the outstanding player in the Thanksgiving game that he called.

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

When he finally retired from the broadcast booth, leaving NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” colleagues universally praised Madden’s passion for the sport, his preparation, and his ability to explain an often-complicated game in down-to-earth terms.

“No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John,” play-by-play announcer Al Michaels said at the time.

For anyone who heard Madden exclaim “Boom!” while breaking down a play, his love of the game was obvious.

“For me, TV is really an extension of coaching,” Madden wrote in “Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!).”

“My knowledge of football has come from coaching. And on TV, all I’m trying to do is pass on some of that knowledge to viewers.”

Madden was raised in Daly City, California. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Cal Poly in 1957-58 and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school.

Madden was chosen to the all-conference team and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, but a knee injury ended his hopes of a pro playing career. Instead, Madden got into coaching, first at Hancock Junior College and then as defensive coordinator at San Diego State.

Al Davis brought him to the Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967, and Oakland went to the Super Bowl in his first year in the pros. He replaced John Rauch as head coach after the 1968 season at age 32, beginning a remarkable 10-year run.

With his demonstrative demeanor on the sideline and disheveled look, Madden was the ideal coach for the collection of castoffs and misfits that made up those Raiders teams.

“Sometimes guys were disciplinarians in things that didn’t make any difference. I was a disciplinarian in jumping offsides; I hated that,” Madden once said. “Being in bad position and missing tackles, those things. I wasn’t, ‘Your hair has to be combed.’”

“I always thought his strong suit was his style of coaching,” quarterback Ken Stabler once said. “John just had a great knack for letting us be what we wanted to be, on the field and off the field. ... How do you repay him for being that way? You win for him.”

And boy, did they ever. Many years, the only problem was the playoffs.

Madden went 12-1-1 in his first season, losing the AFL title game 17-7 to Kansas City. That pattern repeated itself during his tenure; the Raiders won the division title in seven of his first eight seasons, but went 1-6 in conference title games during that span.

Still, Madden’s Raiders played in some of the sport’s most memorable games of the 1970s, games that helped change rules in the NFL. There was the “Holy Roller” in 1978, when Stabler purposely fumbled forward before being sacked on the final play. The ball rolled and was batted to the end zone before Dave Casper recovered it for the winning touchdown against San Diego.

The most famous of those games went against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs at Pittsburgh. With the Raiders leading 7-6 and 22 seconds left, the Steelers had a fourth-and-10 from their 40. Terry Bradshaw’s desperation pass deflected off either Oakland’s Jack Tatum or Pittsburgh’s Frenchy Fuqua to Franco Harris, who caught it at his shoe tops and ran in for a TD.

In those days, a pass that bounced off an offensive player directly to a teammate was illegal, and the debate continues to this day over which player it hit. The catch, of course, was dubbed the “Immaculate Reception.”

Oakland finally broke through with a loaded team in 1976 that had Stabler at quarterback; Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch at receiver; tight end Dave Casper; Hall of Fame offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell; and a defense that included Willie Brown, Ted Hendricks, Tatum, John Matuszak, Otis Sistrunk and George Atkinson.

The Raiders went 13-1, losing only a blowout at New England in Week 4. They paid the Patriots back with a 24-21 win in their first playoff game and got over the AFC title game hump with a 24-7 win over the hated Steelers, who were crippled by injuries.

Oakland won it all with a 32-14 Super Bowl romp against Minnesota.

“Players loved playing for him,” Shell said. “He made it fun for us in camp and fun for us in the regular season. All he asked is that we be on time and play like hell when it was time to play.”

Madden battled an ulcer the following season, when the Raiders once again lost in the AFC title game. He retired from coaching at age 42 after a 9-7 season in 1978.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia, and two sons, Joseph and Michael. John and Virginia Madden’s 62nd wedding anniversary was two days before his death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640439615693.jpeg" alt="John Madden in 2007 wikicommons" />
 <figcaption>John Madden in 2007 wikicommons</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOSH DUBOW, AP Pro Football WriterJohn Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary John Madden. Statement » <a href="https://t.co/9Drm7UNvf6">https://t.co/9Drm7UNvf6</a> <a href="https://t.co/HA0GDGPN46">pic.twitter.com/HA0GDGPN46</a>&mdash; Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1475992603254423553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.But it was his work after prematurely retiring as coach at age 42 that made Madden truly a household name. He educated a football nation with his use of the telestrator on broadcasts; entertained millions with his interjections of “Boom!” and “Doink!” throughout games; was an omnipresent pitchman selling restaurants, hardware stores and beer; became the face of “Madden NFL Football,” one of the most successful sports video games of all-time; and was a best-selling author.Most of all, he was the preeminent television sports analyst for most of his three decades calling games, winning an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for outstanding sports analyst/personality, and covering 11 Super Bowls for four networks from 1979-2009.“People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?” he said when was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I’m a coach, always been a coach.”He started his broadcasting career at CBS after leaving coaching in great part because of his fear of flying. He and Pat Summerall became the network’s top announcing duo. Madden then helped give Fox credibility as a major network when he moved there in 1994, and went on to call prime-time games at ABC and NBC before retiring following Pittsburgh’s thrilling 27-23 win over Arizona in the 2009 Super Bowl.“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.Burly and a little unkempt, Madden earned a place in America’s heart with a likable, unpretentious style that was refreshing in a sports world of spiraling salaries and prima donna stars. He rode from game to game in his own bus because he suffered from claustrophobia and had stopped flying. For a time, Madden gave out a “turducken” — a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey — to the outstanding player in the Thanksgiving game that he called.“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”When he finally retired from the broadcast booth, leaving NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” colleagues universally praised Madden’s passion for the sport, his preparation, and his ability to explain an often-complicated game in down-to-earth terms.“No one has made the sport more interesting, more relevant and more enjoyable to watch and listen to than John,” play-by-play announcer Al Michaels said at the time.For anyone who heard Madden exclaim “Boom!” while breaking down a play, his love of the game was obvious.“For me, TV is really an extension of coaching,” Madden wrote in “Hey, Wait a Minute! (I Wrote a Book!).”“My knowledge of football has come from coaching. And on TV, all I’m trying to do is pass on some of that knowledge to viewers.”Madden was raised in Daly City, California. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Cal Poly in 1957-58 and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school.Madden was chosen to the all-conference team and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, but a knee injury ended his hopes of a pro playing career. Instead, Madden got into coaching, first at Hancock Junior College and then as defensive coordinator at San Diego State.Al Davis brought him to the Raiders as a linebackers coach in 1967, and Oakland went to the Super Bowl in his first year in the pros. He replaced John Rauch as head coach after the 1968 season at age 32, beginning a remarkable 10-year run.With his demonstrative demeanor on the sideline and disheveled look, Madden was the ideal coach for the collection of castoffs and misfits that made up those Raiders teams.“Sometimes guys were disciplinarians in things that didn’t make any difference. I was a disciplinarian in jumping offsides; I hated that,” Madden once said. “Being in bad position and missing tackles, those things. I wasn’t, ‘Your hair has to be combed.’”The Raiders responded.“I always thought his strong suit was his style of coaching,” quarterback Ken Stabler once said. “John just had a great knack for letting us be what we wanted to be, on the field and off the field. ... How do you repay him for being that way? You win for him.”And boy, did they ever. Many years, the only problem was the playoffs.Madden went 12-1-1 in his first season, losing the AFL title game 17-7 to Kansas City. That pattern repeated itself during his tenure; the Raiders won the division title in seven of his first eight seasons, but went 1-6 in conference title games during that span.Still, Madden’s Raiders played in some of the sport’s most memorable games of the 1970s, games that helped change rules in the NFL. There was the “Holy Roller” in 1978, when Stabler purposely fumbled forward before being sacked on the final play. The ball rolled and was batted to the end zone before Dave Casper recovered it for the winning touchdown against San Diego.The most famous of those games went against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs at Pittsburgh. With the Raiders leading 7-6 and 22 seconds left, the Steelers had a fourth-and-10 from their 40. Terry Bradshaw’s desperation pass deflected off either Oakland’s Jack Tatum or Pittsburgh’s Frenchy Fuqua to Franco Harris, who caught it at his shoe tops and ran in for a TD.In those days, a pass that bounced off an offensive player directly to a teammate was illegal, and the debate continues to this day over which player it hit. The catch, of course, was dubbed the “Immaculate Reception.”Oakland finally broke through with a loaded team in 1976 that had Stabler at quarterback; Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch at receiver; tight end Dave Casper; Hall of Fame offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell; and a defense that included Willie Brown, Ted Hendricks, Tatum, John Matuszak, Otis Sistrunk and George Atkinson.The Raiders went 13-1, losing only a blowout at New England in Week 4. They paid the Patriots back with a 24-21 win in their first playoff game and got over the AFC title game hump with a 24-7 win over the hated Steelers, who were crippled by injuries.Oakland won it all with a 32-14 Super Bowl romp against Minnesota.“Players loved playing for him,” Shell said. “He made it fun for us in camp and fun for us in the regular season. All he asked is that we be on time and play like hell when it was time to play.”Madden battled an ulcer the following season, when the Raiders once again lost in the AFC title game. He retired from coaching at age 42 after a 9-7 season in 1978.Survivors include his wife, Virginia, and two sons, Joseph and Michael. John and Virginia Madden’s 62nd wedding anniversary was two days before his death.___

John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster has died

Washington, D.C&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall's legislation to prevent service members from receiving a dishonorable discharge for choosing to not get the COVID vaccine was signed into law Monday by President Joe Biden as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to a statement from Marshall's office.

In total, Senator Marshall secured 14 NDAA wins in his first year as a U.S. Senator to protect our national security.

“As a former Army doctor, I am proud the NDAA was signed into law and included my amendment to ensure service members will be protected from a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to get the COVID vaccine. Simply put, a dishonorable discharge treats our heroes as felons. But, our American heroes deserve better,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“I support the vaccine, but I also support those who are defending our freedoms and have carefully weighed their decision on whether to receive it. With the NDAA having been signed into law, our service men and women have medical freedom they rightly deserve.”

In addition to his amendment protecting unvaccinated service members from receiving a dishonorable discharge, Senator Marshall secured various wins in the NDAA that champion Kansas military communities and advance America’s defense capabilities, including provisions to:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Require the Department of Defense to establish uniform standards under which service members may be exempted from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for administrative, medical, or religious reasons;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Require the Department of Defense to consider the effects of natural immunity in setting medical standards, as well as whether the service member is approaching retirement when setting the administrative exemption standards;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibit the Department of Defense from working with EcoHealth Alliance, Inc., a non-profit that funneled taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, to conduct research supported by the Chinese government;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibit any reduction in the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles or retiring or reconverting our low-yield nuclear warheads at a time when China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fully fund the modernization of our nuclear triad, including Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639511676130.png" alt="Senator Marshall&nbsp; said, “I support the vaccine, but I also support those who are defending our freedoms and have carefully weighed their decision on whether to receive it."-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall&nbsp; said, “I support the vaccine, but I also support those who are defending our freedoms and have carefully weighed their decision on whether to receive it."-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall's legislation to prevent service members from receiving a dishonorable discharge for choosing to not get the COVID vaccine was signed into law Monday by President Joe Biden as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to a statement from Marshall's office.In total, Senator Marshall secured 14 NDAA wins in his first year as a U.S. Senator to protect our national security.“As a former Army doctor, I am proud the NDAA was signed into law and included my amendment to ensure service members will be protected from a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to get the COVID vaccine. Simply put, a dishonorable discharge treats our heroes as felons. But, our American heroes deserve better,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“I support the vaccine, but I also support those who are defending our freedoms and have carefully weighed their decision on whether to receive it. With the NDAA having been signed into law, our service men and women have medical freedom they rightly deserve.”Senator Marshall’s NDAA Wins:In addition to his amendment protecting unvaccinated service members from receiving a dishonorable discharge, Senator Marshall secured various wins in the NDAA that champion Kansas military communities and advance America’s defense capabilities, including provisions to:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Require the Department of Defense to establish uniform standards under which service members may be exempted from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for administrative, medical, or religious reasons;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Require the Department of Defense to consider the effects of natural immunity in setting medical standards, as well as whether the service member is approaching retirement when setting the administrative exemption standards;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibit the Department of Defense from working with EcoHealth Alliance, Inc., a non-profit that funneled taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, to conduct research supported by the Chinese government;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibit any reduction in the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles or retiring or reconverting our low-yield nuclear warheads at a time when China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fully fund the modernization of our nuclear triad, including Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.

Marshall amendment protecting unvaccinated service members is law

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas burglary suspect after he&nbsp;was found hiding in the utility closet.

Just after 3:30p.m. Monday, 9fficers responded to the report of a burglary in progress in the 200 block of S. Eighth Street in Salina, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 Neighbors had reported that they had seen a small-statured man enter the residence and that they had seen him coming and going from the residence since Thursday. The residence, owned by a 70-year-old Solomon woman, was supposed to be vacant.

During a search of the residence, officers found Nicholas Reimonenq, 29, of Salina, hiding in a small space between the furnace and the wall of a utility closet, Forrester said.

They also located a backpack belonging to Reimonenq, that allegedly had in it items belonging to previous residents. Additionally, an antique glass doorknob allegedly was found in Reimonenq's pocket, Forrester said. The total of the items was $55.

Reimonenq was arrested on requested charges of Burglary, Theft and Interference with a law enforcement officer

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640705279664.jpeg" alt="Reimonenq photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Reimonenq photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas burglary suspect after he&nbsp;was found hiding in the utility closet.Just after 3:30p.m. Monday, 9fficers responded to the report of a burglary in progress in the 200 block of S. Eighth Street in Salina, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester. Neighbors had reported that they had seen a small-statured man enter the residence and that they had seen him coming and going from the residence since Thursday. The residence, owned by a 70-year-old Solomon woman, was supposed to be vacant.During a search of the residence, officers found Nicholas Reimonenq, 29, of Salina, hiding in a small space between the furnace and the wall of a utility closet, Forrester said.They also located a backpack belonging to Reimonenq, that allegedly had in it items belonging to previous residents. Additionally, an antique glass doorknob allegedly was found in Reimonenq's pocket, Forrester said. The total of the items was $55.Reimonenq was arrested on requested charges of Burglary, Theft and Interference with a law enforcement officer

Kansas burglary suspect found hiding in utility closet

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The former co-owner of a Schlitterbahn water park in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;when a 10-year-old boy was killed on one of its rides faces sentencing in March after he pleaded guilty to a felony rug charge.

Jeff Henry, 66, pleaded guilty Dec. 16 to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In exchange for the plea, two other drug-related charges and a charge of hiring someone for sex were dismissed.

Henry was charged in 2018 after police found drugs and an alleged sex worker in a Merriam hotel room he and others were in, KCUR reported.

The arrest occurred while Henry and other Schlitterbahn officials faced charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, who was decapitated on a Schlitterbahn water slide in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2016. Henry was awaiting a court hearing in that case when he was arrested at the hotel.

The charges involving Caleb Schwab's death were later dismissed when a Wyandotte County judge found the Kansas Attorney General relied on improper evidence to influence the grand jury that brought the charges.

Schlitterbahn closed its Kansas City location and now operates only two parks in&nbsp;Texas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640726754685.png" alt="Henry from his arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Henry from his arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The former co-owner of a Schlitterbahn water park in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;when a 10-year-old boy was killed on one of its rides faces sentencing in March after he pleaded guilty to a felony rug charge.Jeff Henry, 66, pleaded guilty Dec. 16 to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In exchange for the plea, two other drug-related charges and a charge of hiring someone for sex were dismissed.Henry was charged in 2018 after police found drugs and an alleged sex worker in a Merriam hotel room he and others were in, KCUR reported.Henry will be sentenced March 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598904658260.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The arrest occurred while Henry and other Schlitterbahn officials faced charges, including second-degree murder, in the death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab, who was decapitated on a Schlitterbahn water slide in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2016. Henry was awaiting a court hearing in that case when he was arrested at the hotel.The charges involving Caleb Schwab's death were later dismissed when a Wyandotte County judge found the Kansas Attorney General relied on improper evidence to influence the grand jury that brought the charges.Schlitterbahn closed its Kansas City location and now operates only two parks in&nbsp;Texas.

Former Schlitterbahn co-owner pleads guilty to drug charge

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly held a Kwanzaa Celebration at the Statehouse in Topeka Monday.

In a social media statement, the governor said, "I&nbsp;had the pleasure of joining the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and the Historic St. Mark’s A.M.E. Church to light the kinara at the statehouse. Wishing everyone a very happy Kwanzaa!"

The weeklong holiday from Dec. 26 through Jan 1. celebrates African-American family, community and culture. Its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640705100333.png" alt="Photos courtesy Gov. Laura Kelly" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Gov. Laura Kelly</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly held a Kwanzaa Celebration at the Statehouse in Topeka Monday.In a social media statement, the governor said, "I&nbsp;had the pleasure of joining the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and the Historic St. Mark’s A.M.E. Church to light the kinara at the statehouse. Wishing everyone a very happy Kwanzaa!"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640705013425.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The weeklong holiday from Dec. 26 through Jan 1. celebrates African-American family, community and culture. Its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa.

Governor celebrates Kwanzaa at the Kansas Statehouse

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been arrested in a Kansas City killing after residents came forward to tell police of the man's possible involvement in the crime.

The fatal shooting happened Monday evening. Officers called to the scene found a man fatally shot on the front porch of a home.

Officer Donna Drake told reporters at the scene that several people spoke to responding officers, leading to the man being taken into custody.

Rosilyn Temple of KC Mothers in Charge said the fact that those at the scene came forward further proves that the community is tired of the violence.

The killing was the 157th this year in Kansas City, based on data collected by the Star, making it the second-deadliest year on record. The worst year for homicides was 2020, when 182 people were killed.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been arrested in a Kansas City killing after residents came forward to tell police of the man's possible involvement in the crime.The fatal shooting happened Monday evening. Officers called to the scene found a man fatally shot on the front porch of a home.Officer Donna Drake told reporters at the scene that several people spoke to responding officers, leading to the man being taken into custody.Rosilyn Temple of KC Mothers in Charge said the fact that those at the scene came forward further proves that the community is tired of the violence.The killing was the 157th this year in Kansas City, based on data collected by the Star, making it the second-deadliest year on record. The worst year for homicides was 2020, when 182 people were killed.

Residents alert police who make arrest in another KC killing

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-21/overworked-former-kansas-teacher-has-nothing-left-to-give-public-schools">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — Kelly Kluthe is one of those rock-star science teachers schools need.

She landed an <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/joco-913/olathe-southwest-joco/article230955708.html" target="_blank">innovative teaching grant at Olathe West High</a>.
 She speaks at national conferences about ways to make science lessons 
fun. She mentored new teachers through the University of Kansas <a href="https://stemteach.ku.edu/" target="_blank">Center for STEM Learning</a> and the UKanTeach program, where she got her start.

She’s been teaching for a decade. Loves science, kids, public education.

“While
 I love and believe in education for every student despite their 
circumstances, public schools as a system don’t love their teachers 
back,” <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469770513316777984" target="_blank">Kluthe posted on Twitter</a> recently.

“The
 working conditions have always been challenging, but they became 
downright unsustainable since the start of the pandemic,” she tweeted. 
“We’re overworked, undervalued, and constantly under attack from people 
who have no idea what the hell they’re talking about.”

Kluthe is leaving Crossroads Preparatory Academy, a public charter school in Kansas City, Missouri, for <a href="https://www.ndsion.edu/admissions/grade-school/tuition--fees/11-program" target="_blank">Notre Dame de Sion</a> Grade School, a private Catholic school known for its small classes and college-prep trajectory.

That <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469319268449849354" target="_blank">tweet about her mid-year departure</a> drew thousands of responses from teachers across the country, many of whom say they’re burned out, depressed and disillusioned.

They point to struggles over teaching in-person and remote students simultaneously, filling in for peers during <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-10-18/kansas-schools-were-already-struggling-to-find-substitute-teachers-then-covid-hit" target="_blank">substitute shortages</a> and feeling the pressure to make up for lost learning time. What’s more, they’re caught in the middle of <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-08-23/wichita-boe-votes-to-mandate-masks-for-students-employees" target="_blank">controversial mask mandates</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">debates over critical race theory</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">challenges to books</a> in school libraries.

Steve
 Case, a former teacher and research professor who ran the University of
 Kansas’ now-defunct STEM Center, says schools should prepare for a mass
 exodus of teachers in coming months.

“I’m very, very afraid of a 
collapsing system here,” he said. “We will see a very large number of 
teachers who leave teaching altogether and don’t come back.”

Case,
 who taught Kluthe at KU, said mid-year resignations that were once rare
 are becoming more common. Generally, teachers will “gut it out for the 
kids” until the end of the year, he said. But a notably different tenor 
this fall has some Kansas teachers speaking out against what they say is
 a toxic environment.

During a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5h568Llok" target="_blank">recent meeting of the Blue Valley school board</a>, veteran teacher Dianne O’Bryan urged communities to ease up on the negativity or risk losing more teachers.

“For
 those angry, highly critical, accusatory parents in our district, 
please know that you’re a major contributing factor to teachers 
leaving,” O’Bryan said. “You have a choice to be angry, but we also have
 a choice to leave.”

Kluthe, 31, said in an interview that she 
didn’t intend to resign mid-year, but the stresses of teaching started 
to affect her physical and mental health.

“I was getting anxiety 
almost every single work night, just dreading coming to work,” she said.
 “I was starting to resent the students for behavior issues … when I 
know a lot of those things are outside of their control. It was just not
 a healthy place for me to be.”

On Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469506746611765248" target="_blank">she wrote</a>: “I’m exhausted. I’m burnt out. I have nothing left to give. I need to step away and take care of myself for a bit.”

Her private-school job comes with less pay but also less pressure, 
Kluthe said — about 10 students per class instead of 23 or more. She 
also pointed to more planning time, a tight-knit school community and 
the “freedom to be creative and follow my passions.” She’ll teach 
fourth- and fifth-grade science, technology, engineering and math, or 
STEM, classes, mentor peers and write a new social justice curriculum.

“I want to retire (as) a teacher,” she said, “but I need a school that will love me as much as I love my work.”

Case, the retired research professor, said Kluthe’s comments echo a 
growing frustration among teachers “who have not had a voice” in 
discussions around education.

“It’s like, yeah, we’re talking 
about it. We know all this stuff,” he said. “But nobody’s doing anything
 about it, and that’s where hope gets lost.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640628378982.png" alt="Kelly Kluthe, who has taught in public high schools in Kansas and Missouri, recently took a job at a private Catholic grade school, saying she has lost faith in public education. Courtesy Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kelly Kluthe, who has taught in public high schools in Kansas and Missouri, recently took a job at a private Catholic grade school, saying she has lost faith in public education. Courtesy Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-21/overworked-former-kansas-teacher-has-nothing-left-to-give-public-schools">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — Kelly Kluthe is one of those rock-star science teachers schools need.She landed an <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/joco-913/olathe-southwest-joco/article230955708.html" target="_blank">innovative teaching grant at Olathe West High</a>.
 She speaks at national conferences about ways to make science lessons 
fun. She mentored new teachers through the University of Kansas <a href="https://stemteach.ku.edu/" target="_blank">Center for STEM Learning</a> and the UKanTeach program, where she got her start.She’s been teaching for a decade. Loves science, kids, public education.And she just quit.“While
 I love and believe in education for every student despite their 
circumstances, public schools as a system don’t love their teachers 
back,” <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469770513316777984" target="_blank">Kluthe posted on Twitter</a> recently.“The
 working conditions have always been challenging, but they became 
downright unsustainable since the start of the pandemic,” she tweeted. 
“We’re overworked, undervalued, and constantly under attack from people 
who have no idea what the hell they’re talking about.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I&#39;m absolutely stunned by all the well-wishes I received from teachers across the country yesterday after announcing my resignation from teaching public HS biology. Below is a few more details as to why I&#39;m leaving and what comes next. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/fJfQUWPDIh">pic.twitter.com/fJfQUWPDIh</a>&mdash; Kelly Kluthe (she/her) (@KlutheScience) <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469770513316777984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Kluthe is leaving Crossroads Preparatory Academy, a public charter school in Kansas City, Missouri, for <a href="https://www.ndsion.edu/admissions/grade-school/tuition--fees/11-program" target="_blank">Notre Dame de Sion</a> Grade School, a private Catholic school known for its small classes and college-prep trajectory.That <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469319268449849354" target="_blank">tweet about her mid-year departure</a> drew thousands of responses from teachers across the country, many of whom say they’re burned out, depressed and disillusioned.They point to struggles over teaching in-person and remote students simultaneously, filling in for peers during <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-10-18/kansas-schools-were-already-struggling-to-find-substitute-teachers-then-covid-hit" target="_blank">substitute shortages</a> and feeling the pressure to make up for lost learning time. What’s more, they’re caught in the middle of <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-08-23/wichita-boe-votes-to-mandate-masks-for-students-employees" target="_blank">controversial mask mandates</a>, <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">debates over critical race theory</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books" target="_blank">challenges to books</a> in school libraries.Steve
 Case, a former teacher and research professor who ran the University of
 Kansas’ now-defunct STEM Center, says schools should prepare for a mass
 exodus of teachers in coming months.“I’m very, very afraid of a 
collapsing system here,” he said. “We will see a very large number of 
teachers who leave teaching altogether and don’t come back.”Case,
 who taught Kluthe at KU, said mid-year resignations that were once rare
 are becoming more common. Generally, teachers will “gut it out for the 
kids” until the end of the year, he said. But a notably different tenor 
this fall has some Kansas teachers speaking out against what they say is
 a toxic environment.During a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5h568Llok" target="_blank">recent meeting of the Blue Valley school board</a>, veteran teacher Dianne O’Bryan urged communities to ease up on the negativity or risk losing more teachers.“For
 those angry, highly critical, accusatory parents in our district, 
please know that you’re a major contributing factor to teachers 
leaving,” O’Bryan said. “You have a choice to be angry, but we also have
 a choice to leave.”Kluthe, 31, said in an interview that she 
didn’t intend to resign mid-year, but the stresses of teaching started 
to affect her physical and mental health.“I was getting anxiety 
almost every single work night, just dreading coming to work,” she said.
 “I was starting to resent the students for behavior issues … when I 
know a lot of those things are outside of their control. It was just not
 a healthy place for me to be.”On Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469506746611765248" target="_blank">she wrote</a>: “I’m exhausted. I’m burnt out. I have nothing left to give. I need to step away and take care of myself for a bit.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I resigned today. I&#39;m no longer a high school biology teacher after next week and it feels weird.&mdash; Kelly Kluthe (she/her) (@KlutheScience) <a href="https://twitter.com/KlutheScience/status/1469319268449849354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>Her private-school job comes with less pay but also less pressure, 
Kluthe said — about 10 students per class instead of 23 or more. She 
also pointed to more planning time, a tight-knit school community and 
the “freedom to be creative and follow my passions.” She’ll teach 
fourth- and fifth-grade science, technology, engineering and math, or 
STEM, classes, mentor peers and write a new social justice curriculum.“I want to retire (as) a teacher,” she said, “but I need a school that will love me as much as I love my work.”Case, the retired research professor, said Kluthe’s comments echo a 
growing frustration among teachers “who have not had a voice” in 
discussions around education.“It’s like, yeah, we’re talking 
about it. We know all this stuff,” he said. “But nobody’s doing anything
 about it, and that’s where hope gets lost.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Former Kan. teacher has ‘nothing left to give’ public schools and she's not alone 

BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — Branson police say skeletal remains found last week in a wooded area were those of David Koenig, an amateur mixed martial arts fighter who had been missing for nearly two years.

A man looking for deer antlers found the remains Dec. 22. Police said Monday that the remains were those of Koenig, who was last seen on Feb. 8, 2020.

A forensic pathologist examined the remains and found no trauma. The examination determined that foul play was not believed to be a factor in Koenig's death.

Branson police and several other agencies had conducted searches for Koenig since his disappearance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640712215640.png" alt="photo Taney Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>photo Taney Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — Branson police say skeletal remains found last week in a wooded area were those of David Koenig, an amateur mixed martial arts fighter who had been missing for nearly two years.A man looking for deer antlers found the remains Dec. 22. Police said Monday that the remains were those of Koenig, who was last seen on Feb. 8, 2020.A forensic pathologist examined the remains and found no trauma. The examination determined that foul play was not believed to be a factor in Koenig's death.Branson police and several other agencies had conducted searches for Koenig since his disappearance.

Police ID skeletal remains found in Branson

ELK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office have identified the second man who was shot and killed outside a Longton, Kansas residence on Dec. 23, according to a media release from the KBI.

Robert S. Stricker, 57, of Longton, and Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton were identified as the two shooting victims.

The suspect identified as 41-year-old Lyle Mille, who is believed to have killed Stricker and Smith, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the KBI.

ELK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two men were shot and killed outside a home in Longton, Kansas early Thursday morning, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Elk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on Thursday, Dec. 23, at approximately 12:10 a.m. The caller reported that a man had shot two other men at 205 W. 5th&nbsp;St. in Longton.

At approximately 12:40 a.m., the Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicated that Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton, a 57-year-old white male from Longton (who has not been identified pending notification of his kin), and three other men were at an outdoor gathering at a residence. While they were outside, Lyle W. Miller, 41, of Longton, arrived at the gathering. After a short time, Miller pulled a pistol from his waist and shot Smith and the 57-year-old man at close range. Miller then fled the area to a nearby residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.

When deputies from the Elk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene both Smith and the 57-year-old man were pronounced dead.

Deputies determined Miller had entered the residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.&nbsp; Law enforcement surrounded the house. 

They made frequent announcements to Miller attempting to convince him to exit the home. No response occurred, so at approximately 5:50 a.m., a robot was sent inside. It located what seemed to be a deceased male in the attic. Tactical teams made entry into the house and confirmed that Miller was dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

ELK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office have identified the second man who was shot and killed outside a Longton, Kansas residence on Dec. 23, according to a media release from the KBI.Robert S. Stricker, 57, of Longton, and Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton were identified as the two shooting victims.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640710527396.png" alt="Lyle Miller-photo from an earlier arrest in Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Lyle Miller-photo from an earlier arrest in Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect identified as 41-year-old Lyle Mille, who is believed to have killed Stricker and Smith, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the KBI.-------ELK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Elk County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after two men were shot and killed outside a home in Longton, Kansas early Thursday morning, according to a media release from the KBI.The Elk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on Thursday, Dec. 23, at approximately 12:10 a.m. The caller reported that a man had shot two other men at 205 W. 5th&nbsp;St. in Longton.At approximately 12:40 a.m., the Elk County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.The preliminary investigation indicated that Dewayne L. Smith, 55, of Longton, a 57-year-old white male from Longton (who has not been identified pending notification of his kin), and three other men were at an outdoor gathering at a residence. While they were outside, Lyle W. Miller, 41, of Longton, arrived at the gathering. After a short time, Miller pulled a pistol from his waist and shot Smith and the 57-year-old man at close range. Miller then fled the area to a nearby residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.When deputies from the Elk County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene both Smith and the 57-year-old man were pronounced dead.Deputies determined Miller had entered the residence at 107 W. 5th&nbsp;St.&nbsp; Law enforcement surrounded the house. They made frequent announcements to Miller attempting to convince him to exit the home. No response occurred, so at approximately 5:50 a.m., a robot was sent inside. It located what seemed to be a deceased male in the attic. Tactical teams made entry into the house and confirmed that Miller was dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

KBI IDs 2nd man who died in shooting outside Kan. home

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.

Just after 7a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the area of 21st and Fillmore for a report of a vehicle versus a pedestrian accident, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a man was in the street in the area of 21st and Fillmore when he was struck by a passing motorist.&nbsp; Several additional vehicle also struck the man.

First responders pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to Perry.&nbsp;

 21st street between Clay and Western was close. Police have not released the name of the victim.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640707117768.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident -photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident -photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident.Just after 7a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the area of 21st and Fillmore for a report of a vehicle versus a pedestrian accident, according to Police Lt. Joe Perry. Preliminary investigation indicates that a man was in the street in the area of 21st and Fillmore when he was struck by a passing motorist.&nbsp; Several additional vehicle also struck the man. First responders pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to Perry.&nbsp; 21st street between Clay and Western was close. Police have not released the name of the victim.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas man dead after struck by several vehicles

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending, including a 2.7% pay raise for service members, for 2022.

The NDAA authorizes a 5% increase in military spending, and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers.

“The Act provides vital benefits and enhances access to justice for military personnel and their families, and includes critical authorities to support our country’s national defense,” Biden said Monday in a statement.

The $768.2 billion price tag marks $25 billion more than Biden initially requested from Congress, a prior proposal that was rejected by members of both parties out of concerns it would undermine U.S. efforts to keep pace militarily with China and Russia.

The new bill passed earlier this month with bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans touting wins in the final package.

Democrats applauded provisions in the bill overhauling how the military justice system handles sexual assault and other related crimes, effectively taking prosecutorial jurisdiction over such crimes out of the hands of military commanders.

Republicans, meanwhile, touted success in blocking an effort to add women to the draft, as well as the inclusion of a provision that bars dishonorable discharges for service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine.

The bill includes $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan, measures intended to counteract China’s influence in the region.

It also includes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a show of support in the face of Russian aggression, as well as $4 billion for the European Defense Initiative.

In his statement, the president also outlined a number of provisions his administration opposes over what he characterized as “constitutional concerns or questions of construction.”

Those planks include provisions that restrict the use of funds to transfer or release individuals detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which the Biden administration is moving to close. Biden’s statement said the provisions “unduly impair” the executive branch’s ability to decide when and where to prosecute detainees and where to send them when they’re released, and could constrain U.S. negotiations with foreign countries over the transfer of detainees in a way that could undermine national security.

The law also has provisions barring goods produced by forced Uyghur labor in China from entering the U.S., and it begins to lay out plans for the new Global War on Terror Memorial, which would be the latest addition to the National Mall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640700282700.png" alt="The new bill passed earlier this month with bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans touting wins in the final package-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The new bill passed earlier this month with bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans touting wins in the final package-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending, including a 2.7% pay raise for service members, for 2022.The NDAA authorizes a 5% increase in military spending, and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers.“The Act provides vital benefits and enhances access to justice for military personnel and their families, and includes critical authorities to support our country’s national defense,” Biden said Monday in a statement.The $768.2 billion price tag marks $25 billion more than Biden initially requested from Congress, a prior proposal that was rejected by members of both parties out of concerns it would undermine U.S. efforts to keep pace militarily with China and Russia.The new bill passed earlier this month with bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans touting wins in the final package.Democrats applauded provisions in the bill overhauling how the military justice system handles sexual assault and other related crimes, effectively taking prosecutorial jurisdiction over such crimes out of the hands of military commanders.Republicans, meanwhile, touted success in blocking an effort to add women to the draft, as well as the inclusion of a provision that bars dishonorable discharges for service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine.The bill includes $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan, measures intended to counteract China’s influence in the region.It also includes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a show of support in the face of Russian aggression, as well as $4 billion for the European Defense Initiative.In his statement, the president also outlined a number of provisions his administration opposes over what he characterized as “constitutional concerns or questions of construction.”Those planks include provisions that restrict the use of funds to transfer or release individuals detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which the Biden administration is moving to close. Biden’s statement said the provisions “unduly impair” the executive branch’s ability to decide when and where to prosecute detainees and where to send them when they’re released, and could constrain U.S. negotiations with foreign countries over the transfer of detainees in a way that could undermine national security.The law also has provisions barring goods produced by forced Uyghur labor in China from entering the U.S., and it begins to lay out plans for the new Global War on Terror Memorial, which would be the latest addition to the National Mall.

Pay raise for service members: Biden signs $768B defense bill 

COLUMBUS –&nbsp; A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of two individuals in 2020, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Mark Hopkins II, 30, of Columbus was sentenced by Senior Judge Robert Fleming in Cherokee County District Court. Hopkins was sentenced to life in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility without the possibility of parole for 50 years. Hopkins last month pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.

The crime occurred in June 2020, resulting in the deaths of Blaze Swank and Kylan Shook in Cherokee County. The case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Related charges against another defendant remain pending. Charges are merely accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CHEROKEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are searching for two suspects who escaped from the Cherokee County Jail and are now offering a $5000 reward for information leading to their capture, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff.

Just after 11p.m. Monday 30-year-old double murder suspect Mark Gerald Hopkins II and 34-year-old drug suspect Michael Wayne Martsolf escaped from the Cherokee County Jail in Columbus, Kansas, according to Sheriff David Grove.

The suspects may be driving a 2008 White Honda Accord with a Missouri tag LG2XOF.&nbsp; Both suspects have extensive tattoos throughout their bodies.&nbsp; Both should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see them, call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622299174237.png" alt="Authorities captured Hopkins in Oklahoma -Photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Authorities captured Hopkins in Oklahoma -Photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBUS –&nbsp; A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of two individuals in 2020, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621960469451.png" alt="Hopkins-photo Cherokee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hopkins-photo Cherokee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Mark Hopkins II, 30, of Columbus was sentenced by Senior Judge Robert Fleming in Cherokee County District Court. Hopkins was sentenced to life in a Kansas Department of Corrections facility without the possibility of parole for 50 years. Hopkins last month pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. The crime occurred in June 2020, resulting in the deaths of Blaze Swank and Kylan Shook in Cherokee County. The case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Related charges against another defendant remain pending. Charges are merely accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622043301789.png" alt="Hopkins photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Hopkins photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are searching for two suspects who escaped from the Cherokee County Jail and are now offering a $5000 reward for information leading to their capture, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621960532851.png" alt="Michael Martsolf photo Cherokee Co." />
 <figcaption>Michael Martsolf photo Cherokee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11p.m. Monday 30-year-old double murder suspect Mark Gerald Hopkins II and 34-year-old drug suspect Michael Wayne Martsolf escaped from the Cherokee County Jail in Columbus, Kansas, according to Sheriff David Grove.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621960469451.png" alt="Hopkins booking photo Cherokee County" />
 <figcaption>Hopkins booking photo Cherokee County</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspects may be driving a 2008 White Honda Accord with a Missouri tag LG2XOF.&nbsp; Both suspects have extensive tattoos throughout their bodies.&nbsp; Both should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see them, call 911.

Man who escaped Kan. jail sentenced  for double murder

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

The decision also was driven by a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, propelled by the omicron variant.

Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus. But the sheer number of people becoming infected — and therefore having to isolate or quarantine — threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country is about to see a lot of omicron cases.

“Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic,” she told The Associated Press on Monday. “We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.”

Last week, the agency loosened rules that previously called on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive. The new recommendations said workers could go back to work after seven days if they test negative and don’t have symptoms. And the agency said isolation time could be cut to five days, or even fewer, if there are severe staffing shortages.

Now, the CDC is changing the isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public to be even less stringent.

The guidance is not a mandate; it’s a recommendation to employers and state and local officials. Last week, New York state said it would expand on the CDC’s guidance for health-care workers to include employees who have other critical jobs that are facing a severe staffing shortage.

It’s possible other states will seek to shorten their isolation and quarantine policies, and CDC is trying to get out ahead of the shift. “It would be helpful to have uniform CDC guidance” that others could draw from, rather than a mishmash of policies, Walensky said.

The CDC’s guidance on isolation and quarantine has seemed confusing to the public, and the new recommendations are “happening at a time when more people are testing positive for the first time and looking for guidance,” said Lindsay Wiley, an American University public health law expert.

Nevertheless, the guidance continues to be complex.

The isolation rules are for people who are infected. They are the same for people who are unvaccinated, partly vaccinated, fully vaccinated or boosted.

—The clock starts the day you test positive.

—An infected person should go into isolations for five days, instead of the previously recommended 10.

—At the end of five days, if you have no symptoms, you can return to normal activities but must wear a mask everywhere — even at home around others — for at least five more days.

—If you still have symptoms after isolating for five days, stay home until you feel better and then start your five days of wearing a mask at all times.

The quarantine rules are for people who were in close contact with an infected person but not infected themselves.

For quarantine, the clock starts the day someone is alerted to they may have been exposed to the virus.

Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days.

Now the agency is saying only people who got booster shots can skip quarantine if they wear masks in all settings for at least 10 days.

That’s a change. Previously, people who were fully vaccinated — which the CDC has defined as having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine — could be exempt from quarantine.

Now, people who got their initial shots but not boosters are in the same situation as those who are partly vaccinated or are not vaccinated at all: They can stop quarantine after five days if they wear masks in all settings for five days afterward.

Suspending both isolation and quarantine after five days is not without risk.

A lot of people get tested when they first feel symptoms, but many Americans get tested for others reasons, like to see if they can visit family or for work. That means a positive test result may not reveal exactly when a person was infected or give a clear picture of when they are most contagious, experts say.

When people get infected, the risk of spread drops substantially after five days, but it does not disappear for everyone, said Dr. Aaron Glatt, a New York physician who is a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

“If you decrease it to five days, you’re still going to small but significant number of people who are contagious,” he said.

That’s why wearing masks is a critical part of the CDC guidance, Walensky said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640658435054.png" alt="CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country is about to see a lot of omicron cases.-Photo from her Senate testimony in November -courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country is about to see a lot of omicron cases.-Photo from her Senate testimony in November -courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.The decision also was driven by a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, propelled by the omicron variant.Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus. But the sheer number of people becoming infected — and therefore having to isolate or quarantine — threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the country is about to see a lot of omicron cases.“Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic,” she told The Associated Press on Monday. “We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.”Last week, the agency loosened rules that previously called on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive. The new recommendations said workers could go back to work after seven days if they test negative and don’t have symptoms. And the agency said isolation time could be cut to five days, or even fewer, if there are severe staffing shortages.Now, the CDC is changing the isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public to be even less stringent.The guidance is not a mandate; it’s a recommendation to employers and state and local officials. Last week, New York state said it would expand on the CDC’s guidance for health-care workers to include employees who have other critical jobs that are facing a severe staffing shortage.It’s possible other states will seek to shorten their isolation and quarantine policies, and CDC is trying to get out ahead of the shift. “It would be helpful to have uniform CDC guidance” that others could draw from, rather than a mishmash of policies, Walensky said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635890433225.png" alt="Walensky and the CDC now says only people who got booster shots can skip quarantine if they wear masks in all settings for at least 10 days- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Walensky and the CDC now says only people who got booster shots can skip quarantine if they wear masks in all settings for at least 10 days- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The CDC’s guidance on isolation and quarantine has seemed confusing to the public, and the new recommendations are “happening at a time when more people are testing positive for the first time and looking for guidance,” said Lindsay Wiley, an American University public health law expert.Nevertheless, the guidance continues to be complex.ISOLATIONThe isolation rules are for people who are infected. They are the same for people who are unvaccinated, partly vaccinated, fully vaccinated or boosted.They say:—The clock starts the day you test positive.—An infected person should go into isolations for five days, instead of the previously recommended 10.—At the end of five days, if you have no symptoms, you can return to normal activities but must wear a mask everywhere — even at home around others — for at least five more days.—If you still have symptoms after isolating for five days, stay home until you feel better and then start your five days of wearing a mask at all times.QUARANTINEThe quarantine rules are for people who were in close contact with an infected person but not infected themselves.For quarantine, the clock starts the day someone is alerted to they may have been exposed to the virus.Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days.Now the agency is saying only people who got booster shots can skip quarantine if they wear masks in all settings for at least 10 days.That’s a change. Previously, people who were fully vaccinated — which the CDC has defined as having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine — could be exempt from quarantine.Now, people who got their initial shots but not boosters are in the same situation as those who are partly vaccinated or are not vaccinated at all: They can stop quarantine after five days if they wear masks in all settings for five days afterward.FIVE DAYSSuspending both isolation and quarantine after five days is not without risk.A lot of people get tested when they first feel symptoms, but many Americans get tested for others reasons, like to see if they can visit family or for work. That means a positive test result may not reveal exactly when a person was infected or give a clear picture of when they are most contagious, experts say.When people get infected, the risk of spread drops substantially after five days, but it does not disappear for everyone, said Dr. Aaron Glatt, a New York physician who is a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.“If you decrease it to five days, you’re still going to small but significant number of people who are contagious,” he said.That’s why wearing masks is a critical part of the CDC guidance, Walensky said.

CDC: More mask wearing required after shorter COVID isolation 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive-by shooting and asking the public for help with information.

Just after 3:12a.m.&nbsp; Monday, police were dispatched to check shots in the area of the Hunter's Glen neighborhood near 45th Street North and K-96 Highway in the city of Maize, according to a media release.

 A home located in the 700 block of South Longbranch had been struck by several bullets fired from the street in front of the residence.  Several rounds penetrated the walls of the home where six people were asleep inside including a very young child. 

 Fortunately no one was injured, but the incident could have resulted in serious injury or death to the occupants of the home.

Maize Police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the person or person(s) responsible for this shooting.  The shooting appears deliberate and the home targeted.  No other homes were struck.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive-by shooting and asking the public for help with information.Just after 3:12a.m.&nbsp; Monday, police were dispatched to check shots in the area of the Hunter's Glen neighborhood near 45th Street North and K-96 Highway in the city of Maize, according to a media release. A home located in the 700 block of South Longbranch had been struck by several bullets fired from the street in front of the residence. Several rounds penetrated the walls of the home where six people were asleep inside including a very young child. Fortunately no one was injured, but the incident could have resulted in serious injury or death to the occupants of the home.Maize Police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the person or person(s) responsible for this shooting. The shooting appears deliberate and the home targeted. No other homes were struck.Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Maize Police Detective Piper at 316-425-3356 or you may report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County at 316-267-2111 or online at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217&amp;fbclid=IwAR0YobOGHNRqVzC_xenOiRvi_MUsabrdU4dWY5taOQsvoeYIQ-bVsoz7vhM" target="_blank">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217</a>. Residents in the area are also asked to check any surveillance video footage for anything unusual between 2:30 AM and 3:30 AM and provide the footage to police.Reference Maize PD Case Number: 202101182